Festival season is upon us, bringing with it cold pints, slamming headliners, and (hopefully) some sunshine. 'Festival fashion', though, is often synonymous with some pretty dodgy concepts – think cultural appropriation, tie-dye and tassels galore – when really, your in-field style needn't differ too much from your regular aesthetic. Rather than turn up dressed for a costume party, we'd prefer to incorporate some of spring's best pieces into an outfit we'll wear time and time again.
There are some practical issues to address; stomping boots or wellies are the most practical for countryside festivals, where a mudslide is never out of the question, whereas looser styles like jumpsuits are more fitting for beachside events. You can't go wrong with a belt bag, and thanks to Gucci's quilted offering, there's a plethora of high street options to choose from. Sunnies are always a must (if only to conceal a hangover), as are comfortable sandals that will last am to pm if you're headed to a desert festival.
Whether you're staying in the city to see Erykah Badu at Field Day, getting your indie fill in the Welsh countryside at Green Man, or going further afield for some sunshine and sea, we've got your festival style sewn up. Click through to see what we're wearing at summer's biggest parties.
Field
When temperamental weather means you could be faced with rain or shine, stomping boots are your best choice of footwear. Pair a feminine dress from brand du jour Rixo with a utilitarian jacket, like this Marques'Almeida khaki number, and wrap it up with a belt bag – perfect for emergency tissues and some hand sanitiser.
Rixo London Harper Floral-Print Dress, £265, available at Net-A-Porter
Zara Leather Ankle Boots with Faux Pearls, £69.99, available at Zara
Marques'Almeida Cargo-Pocket Military Jacket, £650, available at Matches Fashion
Mango Suede Belt Bag, £35.99, available at Mango
City
Who said festivals called for the trappings of bohemia? If printed, flowing garments aren't your thing, look to athleisure to inspire your style. Natasha Zinko's high-waisted shorts are comfortable enough to dance in all day, plus look sharp with a slogan tee from Ganni tucked in. Another belt bag, this time courtesy of Virgil Abloh's Off-White, is the order of the day. Top it off with a trainer-slash-sandal hybrid from Charles & Keith and you've got the perfect inner-city festival get-up.
Ganni Happy Endings T-Shirt, £60, available at Ganni
Natasha Zinko Mid Rise Shorts, £480, available at Browns
Charles & Keith Laced Up Rope Detail Sandals, £49, available at Charles & Keith
Off-White Leather-Trimmed Canvas Belt Bag, £485, available at Net-A-Porter
Park
Why wear a crochet waistcoat, culturally appropriative bindi and a shitload of glitter when you could just don a slamming get-up like this? Gingham is back and better than ever; this blouse from MDS Stripes will go just as well with work-appropriate trousers as it will wide-legged Weekday jeans at Field Day. Dr. Martens makes the most comfortable sandals for dancing all day, and this UO straw bag is as Instagrammable as they come. Sorted.
MDS Stripes Louise Gingham Top, £400, available at Net-A-Porter
Weekday Ace Wow Blue Jeans, £40, available at Weekday
Urban Outfitters Circle Straw Bag, £45, available at Urban Outfitters
Dr. Martens Gryphon Brando Sandals, £110, available at Dr. Martens
Beach
Beach festivals call for lightweight fabrics, airy cuts and cute-as-they-come accessories. This Staud jumpsuit has been top of our payday wish list for some time. We're wearing solo for summer events and layering over tees and rollnecks come autumn. Kitsch bags are everywhere this season, and Uterqüe's mustard tote will fit all your festival essentials. Birkenstock's Arizona sandal is a no-brainer, while Le Specs is making the coolest sunnies going right now – this pink angular pair will shade us from the sunshine.
Staud Bob Lace-Up Jumpsuit, £340, available at Net-A-Porter
Uterqüe Diamond Tote Bag, £69, available at Uterqüe
Birkenstock Arizona Sandal, £55, available at Birkenstock
Le Specs Petit Panthère, £80, available at Le Specs
Desert
We're taking inspiration from Hunter S. Thompson this summer. One scroll through Pinterest and you'll see floods of throwback photos of the wild writer in yellow-tinted specs (waaay before Drake donned his), tropical short-sleeved shirts, and light denim. This Amiri printed shirt in white and red is the way to go if multicoloured botanical prints are a little too garish for you. We're finishing our tourist dad look with elasticated sandals from Urban Outfitters.
Amiri Printed Tencel Shirt, £390, available at Net-A-Porter
Topshop Longline Denim Shorts, £34, available at Topshop
UO Alex Elastic Strap Cleated Sandals, £35, available at Urban Outfitters
Prism Santiago Metal Aviator Sunglasses, £235, available at Matches Fashion
We've partnered with our friends at URBAN OUTFITTERS to offer the ultimate festival giveaway! £500 to spend on clothing, and the opportunity to test out your dancing shoes at KALA festival in Albania! Enter here before midnight on 9th June.
KALA festival runs from 20th-27th June and is non-transferable. Full rules here.
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